Submit ID Theft affidavit

File police report

Monitor accounts

Get a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus, and start monitoring all your accounts.

How identity theft happens

Identity thieves have gotten more sophisticated in their methods, and they can access your personal information in countless ways.

You can make it more difficult for identity thieves to open accounts in your name by locking your Equifax credit report with Lock & AlertTM, or placing a security freeze on your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion credit reports.1

You are not required to provide your Social Security number to your healthcare provider. Ask if the last four digits will suffice, and don’t be shy about asking what kind of security measures your healthcare provider has in place in the event of a data breach.

Fact or Fiction?

I don’t have to quickly report a small fraudulent charge on my credit card; that’s likely just an honest mistake.

Fiction

If you spot a charge on your credit card that isn't yours, contact your credit card company immediately — even if the charge is for a small amount. Your account can be closed and you can request to be issued a new card to prevent further fraud.

Fact or Fiction?

Identity theft and identity fraud are the same thing.

Fiction

While they sound similar, they are definitely different. Identity theft is when a thief may acquire someone's personal information. Identity fraud may mean that the thief has used the stolen information in an unauthorized way.

Fact or Fiction?

I hear about data breaches all the time, but I don’t deal with organizations like the ones I
read about. So I’m safe.

Fiction

Any business or organization that processes and/or stores sensitive data is a potential theft target.

There are steps you can take to help keep identity thieves from getting their hands on your sensitive personal and financial information. Secure personal documents, and be careful sharing online. Lock your computers and mobile devices, keep antivirus and anti-spyware software updated, and regularly check your credit reports for red flags.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), protecting your personal information can help reduce your risk of identity theft. Here are some of its suggestions for helping better protect your personal and financial information:

Keep personal documents and files secure. Keep your files and purse or wallet secure at work and at home. Limit the personal identification and credit or debit cards you carry to only those items you need. Cross-shred documents that may contain personal or sensitive information, such as receipts, credit or debit cards, and financial statements. And before you share sensitive information, ask what it will be used for and why it’s needed.

Keep your online information secure. Don’t give out personal information, especially if you didn’t initiate the contact or don’t know who you are dealing with. Don’t share your passwords – even with friends and family. And be extremely careful about the information you share on social networks – personal information shared online can be used by identity thieves to guess your passwords or answer “challenge” questions.

Secure your Social Security number. Leave your Social Security card at home. When someone asks you to share your Social Security number, or your child’s number, ask how it will be used, how it will be safeguarded, why it is needed, and if there are options if you choose not to share it.

Keep your devices secure. Don’t use an automated login that stores your username and password, and always lock your devices when they’re not being used. Install antivirus and anti-spyware software, and update them regularly. Don’t open files, click on links, or download programs sent by strangers. Be cautious about sharing your personal information over public WiFi networks.

Reviewing my credit report once a year is a smart way to spot identity theft.

Fact

True! Reviewing your credit report once a year with the three major credit bureaus or through annualcreditreport.com is a great way to spot signs of identity theft.

Fact or Fiction?

When it comes to spotting unauthorized charges on my credit card, using one card dedicated for online purchases may be helpful.

Fact

You may want to consider using one dedicated credit card for online purchases. It can make tracking your charges and potentially spotting identity theft easier.

Fact or Fiction?

Cross-shredding important documents with sensitive information is one way to help protect myself from identity theft.

Fact

Cross-shredding important documents is a smart habit to get into when discarding sensitive information.

Fact or Fiction?

I can reveal medical or insurance information by phone or email to my healthcare provider.

It Depends

Don't reveal medical or insurance information by phone or email unless you made the first contact.

Fact or Fiction?

I should feel comfortable providing personal information to my bank if they ask for it in an email.

Fiction

Even if an email looks like it’s coming from your bank or another company you trust, contact the company to verify the email is legitimate before responding, clicking on any links or providing any information. Go directly to the company’s website to sign in.

Locking your Equifax credit report will prevent access to it by
certain third parties. Locking your Equifax credit report will not
prevent access to your credit report at any other credit reporting
agency. Entities that may still have access to your Equifax credit
report include: companies like Equifax Global Consumer Solutions,
which provide you with access to your credit report or credit score,
or monitor your credit report as part of a subscription or similar
service; companies that provide you with a copy of your credit report
or credit score, upon your request; federal, state and local
government agencies and courts in certain circumstances; companies
using the information in connection with the underwriting of
insurance, or for employment, tenant or background screening purposes;
companies that have a current account or relationship with you, and
collection agencies acting on behalf of those whom you owe; companies
that authenticate a consumer's identity for purposes other than
granting credit, or for investigating or preventing actual or
potential fraud; and companies that wish to make pre-approved offers
of credit or insurance to you. To opt out of such pre-approved
offers, visit www.optoutprescreen.com.

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